Re:Designing web page layouts for screen readers
by reaperducer on Thursday December 27, 2018 @03:53PM
(#18772548)
Interesting. I don't work in the airline space, but I wouldn't be surprised if other sectors had similar laws. So I guess the suggestion is moot.
Re:Designing web page layouts for screen readers
by robmc_ on Thursday January 03, 2019 @10:06AM
(#18815595)
Not only do you run the risk of offending users with disabilities by forcing a separate experience, this also creates a separate code base to maintain and often developers forget to update text-only versions. I've worked in the accessibility space for years and this concept is an idea of the past and likely to generate a lawsuit. Accessibility lawsuits are popping up left and right in the public sector across every business vertical and I would strongly advise against this.
While it may sound like a good idea, it literally violates the U.S. Air Carrier Access Act and SAS (the airline) was recently fined for doing exactly what you describe[1].
This solution may also create a situation where the accessible website becomes a "second class citizen" in terms of content because managers are not willing to allocate resources to improving the dedicated accessibility-friendly version. I argue it's much better to make a11y a part of the specification process just like we did with the responsive web when we abandoned WAP.
[1]: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot7418